Hıfzı Oğuz Bekata

Hıfzı Oğuz Bekata (17 March 1911 – 1 September 1995) was a Turkish lawyer and politician who was a long-term deputy and senator for Republican People's Party. He was the minister of state and the minister of interior in the coalition cabinets led by İsmet İnönü in the early 1960s. He was also a journalist and poet.

Early life and education He was born in Ankara, Ottoman Empire, on 17 March 1911.

Career and activities As of 1939 Bekata headed the language, history and literature branch of the People's Houses, a cultural organization. Then he worked at the Ministry of Economy and Trade in various posts. Then he was named as the minister of interior in the next cabinet again led by İnönü on 17 October 1962, succeeding Sahir Kurtoğlu in the post. Bekata had to resign from the post on 4 October 1963 due to his conflict with the minister of health, Yusuf Azizoğlu, a member of the New Turkey Party. The tension occurred when Bekata accused Azizoğlu of collaborating with the Kurdish leaders. Bekata was also acting minister of defense in the same cabinet and served as the government spokesman. Then he joined the 76s group within the party which rejected the leftist policies.

Bekata's library containing books on history of science, technology, engineering, philosophy of science, political sciences, history and philosophy was donated to Istanbul Technical University.